After weeks of strike action, Hollywood’s writers have ended their protest after reaching a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The Writers Guild of America (WGA) will now present the proposed deal to its members for review and voting. The deal addresses several key issues, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in writing, better compensation for writers from streaming services, increased minimum rates for writers, and minimum staffing requirements for TV writers’ rooms.
One of the major concerns of the strike was the use of generative AI in writing. The new agreement clarifies that AI is not considered a writer, and anything it generates cannot be considered literary or source material. While writers can use AI as a tool with consent from the production company, they cannot be compelled to do so. The agreement also acknowledges the legal uncertainty surrounding the use of writers’ work to train AI and allows writers to assert that such use is prohibited.
The deal also addresses compensation issues for writers from streaming services. It includes large increases in foreign streaming residual payments and a new bonus based on streamer viewership. Additionally, the agreement requires companies to provide transparency regarding the total number of hours streamed of self-produced high-budget streaming programs.
Furthermore, the agreement outlines increases in minimum rates for writers over the next few years. It also establishes minimum staffing requirements for TV writers’ rooms based on the length of the series. The agreement guarantees at least 10 weeks of work for writers on shows that have not yet been greenlit. While the writers’ strike has ended, the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is still on strike as their negotiations with the AMPTP continue.